Can You Create a Zone in Arlo Wireless Cameras A Complete Guide

Yes, you can create activity zones in Arlo wireless cameras to focus on specific areas and reduce false alerts. Customizable motion detection zones let you monitor driveways, doors, or yards while ignoring irrelevant movement, enhancing security and efficiency. This feature is available on most Arlo models via the Arlo app with just a few taps.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, Arlo cameras support activity zones for focused motion detection in specific areas.
• Customize zones via the Arlo app to ignore high-traffic or irrelevant areas.
• Adjust sensitivity per zone to reduce false alerts and improve accuracy.
• Zone setup requires a compatible plan—check if your subscription supports it.
• Use zones to prioritize critical areas like entry points or driveways for alerts.
• Delete or resize zones anytime to adapt to changing monitoring needs.

Can You Create a Zone in Arlo Wireless Cameras? A Complete Guide

Imagine this: You’ve just installed your shiny new Arlo wireless camera to keep an eye on your front porch. It’s sleek, easy to set up, and gives you peace of mind when you’re away. But a week later, you’re getting constant alerts — not because someone’s at the door, but because the neighbor’s cat keeps strolling past or the trees are swaying in the wind. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions Arlo users ask is: Can you create a zone in Arlo wireless cameras?

The short answer? Yes — and it’s one of the most powerful features for reducing false alarms and focusing on what really matters. Motion zones let you tell your camera, “Only alert me when something happens here, not everywhere.” Whether you want to monitor a driveway, ignore a busy sidewalk, or keep tabs on your backyard pool without being pestered by birds, motion zones are your secret weapon. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know — from how zones work in different Arlo models, to step-by-step setup, troubleshooting tips, and real-life examples. No fluff, no hype — just practical advice to help you get the most out of your security system.

How Motion Zones Work in Arlo Cameras

Motion zones are virtual areas you define within your camera’s field of view. When motion is detected, the camera checks whether it happened inside one of your active zones. If it did, you get an alert. If not? Nothing. It’s like having a digital fence around the spots you care about.

Why Motion Zones Matter

Without zones, your camera sees everything — passing cars, fluttering leaves, pets, and even shadows. This leads to alert fatigue, where you start ignoring notifications because so many are false alarms. I remember setting up my first Arlo Pro 4 in my backyard. I got 15 alerts in one afternoon — all from a squirrel chasing butterflies. After enabling zones, I cut that down to just two: one when the dog went out and another when the mail carrier arrived. Huge difference.

Zones also help with:

• Reducing false alerts by up to 70% (based on user-reported data from Arlo forums)
• Improving battery life in wireless models, since the camera processes fewer unnecessary recordings
• Focusing on high-risk areas like entry points, driveways, or garages

How Arlo Detects Motion (And Why Zones Help)

Arlo cameras use PIR (Passive Infrared) sensors to detect heat and movement. When something warm moves across the sensor, it triggers a recording. But PIR sensors can’t “see” — they just sense motion. That’s where the camera’s video analysis comes in. The onboard processor analyzes the video feed in real time to determine if the motion is in a zone.

Think of it like a bouncer at a club. The PIR sensor is the door — it feels someone walking in. But the camera’s AI is the bouncer, checking if they’re on the guest list (your motion zone). If they’re not? No entry, no alert.

Pro Tip: For best results, place your camera so the most important areas (like doors or pathways) are centered in the frame. This gives you more room to define precise zones and reduces edge-of-screen false triggers.

Which Arlo Cameras Support Motion Zones?

Not all Arlo cameras are created equal when it comes to motion zones. Here’s the breakdown by model — and what you can expect from each.

Arlo Pro Series (Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5)

The Pro lineup is the gold standard for motion zones. All models support customizable motion zones, with up to 3 zones per camera. You can adjust the size, shape, and position of each zone using the Arlo app. The Pro 4 and Pro 5 also offer color night vision, which improves motion detection accuracy in low light.

Real-world example: I set up a Pro 4 in my garage to monitor the door to the house. I created a tall, narrow zone right over the door handle. The camera ignored the car pulling in and out (which was outside the zone) but caught every time someone opened the door — even at 2 a.m.

Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2

These premium models go beyond basic zones. They support up to 6 motion zones and include advanced AI detection, like person, vehicle, and package recognition. You can even combine zones with AI — for example, “Alert me only if a person enters this zone.”

Bonus: Ultra cameras use HDR imaging, which reduces glare and shadows that can trigger false alerts. Great if your camera faces a window or streetlight.

Arlo Essential Series (Essential, Essential XL, Essential Indoor)

The Essential line is more budget-friendly but still supports 1–3 motion zones, depending on the model. The Essential Indoor, for example, lets you define one zone — perfect for focusing on a crib, pet bed, or home office desk.

Arlo Go and Go 2

These LTE-enabled cameras support motion zones, but setup is a bit trickier since they rely on cellular data. Zones work the same way, but you may experience slight delays due to network latency. Still, great for remote locations like cabins or construction sites.

Arlo Video Doorbell (Wired and Wireless)

Doorbell models support one motion zone, typically covering the area in front of the door. You can’t customize it much, but it’s effective for filtering out street traffic while still catching visitors. The newer models (like the Arlo Wired Video Doorbell) include package detection, which works hand-in-hand with the zone.

Arlo Model	Max Motion Zones	Customization	AI Detection	Best For
Pro 2/3/4/5	3	High (resize, reposition)	Basic (person/vehicle)	Front/back yards, garages
Ultra/Ultra 2	6	Very High (polygon zones)	Advanced (person, vehicle, package, pet)	Large properties, high-traffic areas
Essential Series	1–3	Medium (drag-to-resize)	None or basic	Indoor use, budget setups
Arlo Go/Go 2	3	Medium	None	Remote or off-grid locations
Video Doorbell	1	Low (fixed area)	Package detection (newer models)	Front porch, apartment entry

How to Set Up Motion Zones in the Arlo App (Step-by-Step)

Setting up motion zones is easier than you think — and you can do it in under 5 minutes. Here’s how, whether you’re using an iPhone, Android, or tablet.

Step 1: Open the Arlo App and Select Your Camera

Launch the app and tap the camera you want to configure. Make sure it’s online and has a good signal (check the battery or Wi-Fi icon).

Step 2: Go to “Settings” > “Motion Settings”

Tap the gear icon (settings) in the top right. Scroll down and select Motion Settings. You’ll see options like “Motion Detection,” “Sensitivity,” and “Motion Zones.”

Step 3: Enable and Customize Your Zones

Tap Motion Zones and toggle it on. You’ll see a live preview of your camera feed with a grid overlay. Now, tap + Add Zone.

Use your finger to draw the zone:

• Drag the corners to resize
• Tap and hold to move the entire zone
• For Ultra models, you can draw free-form shapes (like an L-shape around a corner)

Pro Tip: Start small. A zone that’s too large can still trigger from distant motion. I once made a zone covering half my backyard — still got alerts from the neighbor’s dog. Shrunk it to just the patio, and the problem vanished.

Step 4: Adjust Sensitivity and AI Filters (Optional)

Back in Motion Settings, you can:

• Adjust sensitivity (low, medium, high) — higher means more alerts, but also more false ones
• Enable AI detection (if your model supports it) to filter by person, vehicle, etc.
• Set recording duration — how long the camera records after motion stops

Example: I set my front yard camera to “Person Only” and “Medium Sensitivity.” Now, I get alerts for people walking by, but not for cars or animals.

Step 5: Test and Refine

Walk through the zone to test it. Check your phone for alerts. If you get too many, reduce the zone size or lower sensitivity. If you get none, expand the zone slightly.

Common Mistake: Not testing at different times of day. Shadows, sunlight, and temperature changes can affect motion detection. I tested my zone at noon — worked great. But at dusk, the changing light triggered false alerts. I had to tweak the sensitivity for evening hours.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Smarter Zones

Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some pro strategies to make your zones even more effective.

Use Multiple Zones for Complex Scenes

Got a large yard with a pool, driveway, and side gate? Use separate zones for each. I have three zones on my back camera:

• Zone 1: Pool area (alerts for anyone near the water)
• Zone 2: Back gate (alerts for anyone entering)
• Zone 3: Grill area (alerts for late-night cookouts — or raccoons)

This way, I know exactly where the motion happened, not just that it did.

Combine Zones with AI Detection

On Ultra or Pro 5 models, use AI to filter within zones. For example:

• “Only alert me if a vehicle enters the driveway zone”
• “Only record if a person walks into the garage zone”

This cuts down on false alerts from animals or shadows. My neighbor’s cat used to trigger the driveway zone. After enabling “Vehicle Only,” no more alerts.

Schedule Zones for Day and Night

Use Activity Zones (available on newer models) to change zones based on time. For example:

• 6 a.m.–6 p.m.: Zone covers the whole front yard
• 6 p.m.–6 a.m.: Zone shrinks to just the porch (fewer false alerts from street traffic)

I use this for my front camera. During the day, I want to see everything. At night, I focus on the door and steps.

Avoid These Zone Setup Mistakes

• Don’t cover moving objects: Avoid zones that include trees, bushes, or flags. They’ll trigger constantly.
• Watch for light changes: A zone under a tree might work in the morning but fail at noon when shadows shift.
• Don’t overlap zones too much: Overlapping zones can confuse the camera. Keep them distinct.

Use Zones with Arlo Smart (Subscription)

If you have Arlo Smart (paid subscription), you get:

• 30 days of cloud storage
• Smarter AI detection (fewer false alerts)
• Activity zone scheduling
• Person, package, and vehicle recognition

Worth it if you’re serious about security. I tried the free plan first — got lots of alerts for birds. After upgrading, AI filtered them out. Saved me so much time.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Even the best setup can have hiccups. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common motion zone problems.

Problem: Camera Isn’t Detecting Motion in the Zone

Possible causes:

• Zone is too small or poorly positioned
• Sensitivity is set too low
• Camera is obstructed (dirt, snow, spiderweb)

Fix: Clean the lens, adjust the zone to cover more area, and increase sensitivity. Test by walking through the zone at different speeds.

Problem: Getting Alerts Outside the Zone

Possible causes:

• Zone edges are too close to moving objects (trees, cars)
• Camera is too sensitive
• Sunlight or shadows are triggering the sensor

Fix: Shrink the zone, lower sensitivity, or reposition the camera. I once had a camera facing east — morning sun hit the sensor and triggered alerts. I rotated it 90 degrees, and the problem stopped.

Problem: Zones Don’t Work on Older Arlo Models

Some early models (like the original Arlo) don’t support motion zones. Check your model number in the app under Device Info. If it’s not listed in the table above, zones aren’t available.

Workaround: Use scheduling to turn off motion detection during high-traffic times (like rush hour).

Problem: Zones Disappear After a Firmware Update

This happens occasionally. The fix? Reboot your camera and re-enable zones in the app. If it keeps happening, contact Arlo support — it might be a bug.

Conclusion: Zones Are Your Secret Weapon

So, can you create a zone in Arlo wireless cameras? Absolutely — and you should. Motion zones transform your camera from a simple recorder into a smart security system. They cut down on false alerts, save battery life, and give you peace of mind by focusing on what really matters.

Whether you’re using a budget-friendly Essential model or a top-tier Ultra, the principles are the same: define your zones carefully, test them at different times, and use AI and scheduling to fine-tune performance. I’ve used Arlo cameras for over five years, and zones are the single feature that’s made the biggest difference in my daily use.

Don’t settle for constant pings from passing cars or fluttering leaves. Take control. Set up your zones today, and enjoy a smarter, quieter, and more effective security system. Your future self — and your phone’s notification list — will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you create a zone in Arlo wireless cameras to reduce false alerts?

Yes, Arlo wireless cameras allow you to create custom activity zones to focus on specific areas and ignore motion in unwanted regions. This helps reduce false alerts from passing cars or swaying trees. The feature is available in the Arlo app under camera settings.

How do I set up activity zones on my Arlo wireless camera?

To create a zone in Arlo wireless cameras, open the Arlo app, select your camera, and navigate to “Activity Zones” in settings. Draw the zones over the camera’s field of view and adjust sensitivity to your preference. Save the settings to activate the zones.

Do all Arlo wireless cameras support activity zones?

Most Arlo wireless cameras, including the Pro, Ultra, and Essential series, support activity zones. However, older or budget models may lack this feature—check your camera’s specifications in the Arlo app or user manual to confirm.

Can you create multiple zones in Arlo wireless cameras for different purposes?

Yes, Arlo allows you to create multiple activity zones within a single camera’s view, each with customizable sensitivity. This is ideal for monitoring driveways, doors, and yards while ignoring irrelevant areas like sidewalks.

Why is creating a zone in Arlo wireless cameras useful for privacy?

Activity zones let you exclude private areas (like neighbors’ windows) from motion detection, ensuring your camera only records what’s relevant. This balances security with privacy compliance and minimizes unnecessary recordings.

Can I adjust or delete activity zones on Arlo cameras after setup?

Yes, you can edit or delete activity zones anytime via the Arlo app. Select your camera, tap “Activity Zones,” and modify the existing zones or remove them entirely. Changes take effect immediately.